The spectacular 27-day adventure in Bhutan begins with Snowman trek into one of the country’s most remote valleys. This is probably one of the hardest high altitude treks, but an incredible experience for anyone who takes the challenge. Bhutan’s pristine landscape, wonderful people and fascinating Buddhist culture provide the ingredients for a memorable journey into one of the world’s most remote kingdoms.

Travelling into the Lunana district the Snowman trek is so named for the six mountains over 7000 metres (23,100 ft. ) which the trek passes beneath. Crossing nine passes over 4500m (15,850 ft. ) makes this not only one of the highest altitute treks, but also one of the most challenging. Starting in Drukgyel Dzong after a short drive from Paro, we will set out heading directly towards Jhomolhari at 7314m (24,135 ft. ) the third highest peak in Bhutan.

Following the Paro Chhu river valley up into the mountains will be a prelude to the magnificent high altitude trekking which follows. Passing Buddhist monasteries and small villages we will witness a land unchanged for hundreds of years. By placing a strong emphasis on preserving its natural and cultural history, Bhutan has an aura of authenticity which engages your heart and mind while trekking. Glide past blue pine, juniper and rhododendron forests, and look for the famous Himalayan blue sheep, bearded vultures and Himalayan griffons flying overhead.

After a strenuous but tremendously rewarding 25 days of trekking we will turn our attention to learning more about Bhutan’s cultural heritage and Buddhist traditions as we return by road across the middle of Bhutan, known as the Inner Himalaya, visiting Punakha, and Thimphu, before returning to Paro for our final night.

Highlights of Trek

Experience Bhutanese hospitality.

Immerse yourself in Bhutan’s rich buddhist culture.

Hike to Amazing Tiger Nest.

Discover sacred Buddhist monasteries and temples in the Himalaya.

We tailor our tours for less driving & more sightseeing!

The price is competitive & well constructed itinerary.

The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance

What is included in this tour?Items that are included in the cost of tour price.

Transfer to and from the airport

Twin sharing accommodation in 3 star hotels

Up-gradation to 5 star luxury hotel available on request

Camping equipment & haulage for trekking tour

All meals(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Baggage handling at all hotels and camps

Licensed Bhutanese English speaking guided tours

All entrance, museum & other attraction fees

Luxurious private transportation throughout the tour

All applicable internal taxes & service fees(only royalty)

Mineral water per person per night

Visa Fee

Whats not included in this tour.Items that are not included in the cost of tour price.

International airfare(Round trip from home town departure gateway to destination )

The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular mountain flights in the world, with a constantly changing panorama of some of the highest mountains on earth. Our representative will meet you at Paro airport. After lunch enjoy afternoon sightseeing around Paro, including a visit to the National Museum, Ta Dzong. This museum houses many religious relics, works of art and handicrafts offering a great orientation into Bhutan’s historical and cultural past. Next, visit the Rimpong Dzong to see the painting of the great saint Milarepa, considered as the master of meditation by the Bhutanese and believed to have attained enlightenment in a lifetime. Dzong’s are large monasteries and district administrative centres, which were once strategic forts. Afterwards walk to the beautiful cantilever wooden bridge still in use. Overnight at your hotel in Paro.

After breakfast hike to Taktsang Monastery. The trail is broad and the walk of approximately 1.5 to 2 hours uphill takes you high above the Paro valley. The view of Taktsang Monastery built on a sheer cliff face 900 metres above the valley floor is a spectacular sight. The great Guru Rimpoche is said to have flown here on the back of a tigress when he brought the teachings of the Buddhist Dharma to Bhutan in the 8th Century. Nearby there is a teahouse where you can stop for lunch.

In the afternoon drive to the ruins of the 17th Century Drukgyel Dzong, an historic monument built by the Shabdrung to commemorate his victory against invading Tibetans in 1644. In fine weather the towering peak of the sacred Mount Jomolhari (7314m) appears as a stunning backdrop. On the return drive to Paro, visit 7th Century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples constructed by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. Kyichu is built in a manner similar to the Jokhang in Lhasa. Overnight at your hotel in Paro.

The trek starts from Drukgyel Dzong (2580m) with a short downhill walk on a wide track. The trail then climbs gently through well maintained rice terraces and field of millet. Later on we come to apple orchards and forests. Soon the valley widens, and we reach the army post of Gunitsawa (2810m). This is the last stop before Tibet. We continue upwards to just beyond Sharma Zampa (2870m), where there are several good camping places in meadows surrounded by trees. Overnight at campsite.

The trail again follows the Pa Chu (Paro river), ascending and descending through pine, oak and spruce forest .After crossing a bridge to the left bank of the river, we stop for lunch. Then continue along the river, climbing upwards through Rhododendron forest, and crossing the river once more before reaching the campsite (3750m). Overnight at campsite.

The path ascends for a while until we reach the army camp. We then follow the river above the tree line, enjoying stunning views of the surrounding peaks. Hot lunch is served at a yak herder’s camp. A short walk from here into the valley takes us to our campsite at Jangothang (4040m). From here the views of Chomolhari and Jichu Drake are Superb. Overnight at campsite.

The first of our acclimatization days, we have many day-hiking options. The first is a three to four hour excursion up the ridge to the north for great views of Jichu Drake. The second is to hike up towards the head of the valley in the direction of Jhomolhari. The third is a trek up the main valley towards the last house and onward toward Jichu Drake, this gives a great view of where we will be going in the next few days. The final alternative is a fishing expedition to Tshophu, a high-altitude lake about a two hour hike away.

The trail follows a gentle stream for half an hour and crosses a bridge to the right bank. We now start our climb up the first ridge, enjoying breathtaking views of Chomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tserimgang. The trail then takes us across a fairly level valley floor until the climb up to Nyele-la Pass (4700m). We descend gradually enjoying a panoramic view of the mountainous peaks and Lingshi Dzong from the pass until we reach our campsite at Lingshi (4000m). Overnight at campsite

Proceed further passing Lingshi Dzong, perched on hilltop with a commanding view of green hills, the winding roads and magnificent peaks. The actual name of Lingshi Dzong is Yugyel Dzong. Built in 17th century it played a role in controlling travel over Lingshi La (pass) between Tibet and Bhutan. Today's walk is easy and pleasant through villages and yak herders camp. Camp by the side of a stream at 3,860m. Overnight at campsite.

Crossing the Gombu La pass at 4350m (14,300 ft), we descend into a rhododendron filled valley, and continue past some yak herder camps to Shakshepasa where we camp at 3980m (13,100 ft). Sometimes we continue on to a bigger (flatter;) camp 1.5 hours further along the trail to make the next day a little shorter

The trek begins with a climb to Jari La pass at altitude 4,700m then descents to Tasharijathang valley, the summer residence of rare Himalayan Takin (Bhutan's National animal). Later after crossing the stream, the trail ascends till you reach Robluthang camp at altitude of 4,200m.Overnight at campsite.

The walk to Laya is very pleasant with wonderful views. You will pass through a damp forest, filled with moss and singing birds. Arrive at Laya village, the second highest settlement in the country at a altitude of 3,800m.

Descend to army camp and join the Mo Chhu river. Follow the river till you cross the bridge. After the bridge it is up and down several times through juniper and fir forest until you reach the camp at Chamsa at an altitude of 3,500m.

Staying in Laya for the day we will get a chance to see the village with its community school, hospital, archery field and the first shop since the Paro Valley. Laya is a unique village of about 800 people with their own language, customs and distinct dress. The women keep their hair long and wear peculiar conical bamboo hats with a bamboo spike at the top. They wear a lot of silver jewellery on their backs, on many women this display includes an array of teaspoons.

The trek leads gradually downhill to the Lunana trail junction, then makes a gradual climb to the camp through a forest of conifers, maple and rhododendron. The trail improves and becomes wider as we climb out of the river valley. We camp at Rodufu near a small stream at 4160m (13,645 ft).

Climb to Karchung La pass at 5240m (17,187 ft) and down to the glacial lakes that are the source of the Tang Chhu river. Above the lakes are the mighty peaks of Jejekangphu Gang (7300m) and Tsenda Kang (7100m). We camp at Tarina, 4020m (13,250 ft).

The walk leads down through conifer forests, following the upper reaches of the Pho Chhu river. The trail then climbs over a ridge and drops to the village of Woche at 3940m (13,000 ft). The trek has now entered the Lunana region. We often continue on about an hour past Woche to a spectacular campsite below the Keche La pass.

It’s a gradual climb from Woche to the campsite below the pass, and then gets steeper on the section up to the Keche La, at 4580m (15,100 ft), after which it drops steeply to Thega village our usual lunch spot. The afternoon hike continues along a beautiful river valley past spectacular waterfalls to Lhedi village where we camp at 3600m (11,800 ft). Sometimes we continue on about an hour or so beyond Lhedi village to a lovely campsite.

It’s a gradual climb from Woche to the campsite below the pass, and then gets steeper on the section up to the Keche La, at 4580m (15,100 ft), after which it drops steeply to Thega village our usual lunch spot. The afternoon hike continues along a beautiful river valley past spectacular waterfalls to Lhedi village where we camp at 3600m (11,800 ft). Sometimes we continue on about an hour or so beyond Lhedi village to a lovely campsite.

This day is a fantastic opportunity to interact with the hospitable local villagers, and explore the beautiful surrounding area, our farthest point in the Lunana valley. Alternatively you can relax around camp and rest up for some of the tough days ahead. As Thanza is sometimes a transfer point for horses and yaks, it is sometimes necessary to have a day here for our staff to ensure all the necessary yaks are rounded up by the local herders who do not operate on 'Western time'! Please note: Assuming everyone in the trekking party has acclimatized properly up to this point, and our horse/yak logistics are smoothly in place, we may only spend the morning in Thanza, and leave for our campsite up the valley at Danji in the afternoon in order to save the rest day in case it is required later in the trek due to altitude or weather-related concerns while crossing the Rinchen Zoe pass out of Lunana.

Today is a relatively short, although somewhat steep, climb to a campsite called Danji, part way up to the Jaze la pass. It will allow us to have some extra time in the morning and make a later start. The camp is around 4600m/15,000ft, with spectacular views of snow-capped peaks! It is an important acclimatization spot.

The first part of the day involves a climb up over three false summits to Jaze La pass at 5050m (16,570ft). From the pass it is a short downhill trek to the campsite at the lake of Tso Chena at 4800m (15,740 ft). Keep your eyes open for blue sheep during the hike.

It is a long mostly downhill walk along the river, followed by a climb up to the Um So lake at 4230m (13,950 ft). In this lake Pema Lingpa found a number of religious treasures. Continuing downhill we camp by the lake of Thampe Tso at 4200m (13,860 ft).

It is a short walk to the base of Thampe La and a steep climb to the pass at 4580m (15,100 ft). The trek is then all downhill through rhododendron bushes to the yak pasture of Maurothang where we camp at 3550m (11,640 ft).

On our final day of trekking we descend through a beautiful valley to the lovely village of Sephu where the new road-head beyond Nikachu Chazam continues to push up the valley to the upper part of the village. From there, if time permits, we will drive east to Trongsa. This beautiful Dzong is the centre of the region of Bhutan called "Bumthang". The Trongsa Dzong is one of the most impressive in the kingdom, and can be seen from a great distance in its strategic position high above the Mangde Chhu river. In the late-afternoon/early evening, we have a spectacular 3-hour drive back west across the mountains to Punakha. We stop along the way at Chendebji to visit the Chendebji Chorten, patterned after Swayambhunath in Kathmandu and built in the 19th century by Lama Shida from Tibet. We also stop at the top of the Pele La pass (3400m). Overnight in Punakha at a very comfortable hotel.

We will have time in the morning to see Punakha Dzong (the second of Bhutan's dzongs to be built) which for many years served as the seat of government. The dzong was first built in 1637 and is still one of the largest in Bhutan. We will drive to Thimphu in the morning (about 2 hours) and have the afternoon to visit Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. We will visit the Trashi Chhoe Dzong, built as the symbol of the capital and then explore the shops along Norzin Lam, Thimphu's main street.

The most favorable seasons to visit Bhutan is from March-May in spring and august to Nov in fall.In these seasons you will enjoy the scenery of Bhutan and will be more rewarding experience in your life time.See more detail about when to visit Bhutan and what you can able to see.

How is weather through out the year?

The weather may change depending on season and it depends on when you want to travel.Bhutan in summer(June-mid-September) are warm, humid and wetter and Winters (Dec-early March) cooler and dry. Winter nights are cold however the days are often clear, sunny and surprisingly mild in the valleys. The western valleys only average 2 snow falls per annum. The wettest period is August/early September.

What do i need to carry to wear?

Some of your casual cloths are fine while you visit Bhutan, but you would do well to have some set of dress up cloths such as jacket and appropriate smart pair of pants for women.Remeber Bhutan is a country with national dress code and will not be permitted to enter with inappropriate dress while visiting government offices, some of the monasteries and festivals. Even in summer it can be cool in Paro and Thimphu and the day be quite warm, especially in lower region like punakha and phuntsoling and the night time and morning will be cool. Use a layering system, starting with thermal underwear and adding a shirt, pile jacket and wind breaker or parka as necessary.If you are going for trekking you much always thrown some warm cloths and extra gears as you have to walk more than 3000 m.

Is internet available in Bhutan's hotels?

Most of the standard tourist class hotels now have WiFi and plus have a business center where you can use the hotel PCs . WiFi is free for at least a 24 hr use. All of the luxury resorts & lodges offer a wireless internet facility however not necessarily in guest rooms.Some more remote valleys, like Phobjikha, have limited power and internet supply so please you may face some inconsistency as you travel.Purchasing a local SIM card for your smart phone or iPad will give you wifi most of the way through the Kingdom for those who need more connectivity.

Is traveller's cheque accepted in Bhutan?

You can cash traveller's cheque in any Bank, hotels and foreign-exchange counter in airport but there is bank charges of 1% for cheque.You should carry only well know brand such as American Express,Visa, Thomas Cook, Citibank or Barclays..

How can i prevent altitude sickness?

Bhutan is a mountain country, most tourists will travel from 2280 meters,when landing in Paro, until 3500 meters (the passes on the lateral road) or higher when trekking. Bumthang is 3000 meters high. Consult with your doctor before you visit to Bhutan and get a prescription for Diamox.

How much does the visa cost?

International tourist visas a cost of USD $40 applies. This can be paid in advance to you tour operator or travel agent. For Indian passport (or VIC) holders, Bangladeshi nationals and persons from the Maldives there is no cost incurred.